Steamed about STEAM
Y’all, I’m sick of STEM – for realz!
Whoever came up with STEM was a genius. We swallow (likely for our own feelings of security) the idea that Science, Technology, Engineering and Math are the core curriculum our children need to be productive citizens. There is somehow a belief that STEM will lead to a better world. Otherwise, why would we all be so committed to the concept, right? I rarely hear (honestly, I’ve never heard) anyone speaking critically about STEM. Occasionally, someone will attempt to wedge creativity in among the giants to form STEAM. Unfortunately, it often comes off sounding like a lot of hot air.
The word formed by the anagram, “stem”, evokes nature – it is the main stalk, it is the origin. STEM is so pervasive that when looking for a definition for the word “stem” I only got results for the educational theory. STEM takes these core concepts and weaves them “organically” to create a stimulating learning environment. STEM was a response to dwindling interest of U.S. citizens in the sciences, which may simply have been an organic collective intuition that we perhaps have pushed science about as far as it needs to go (that’s just me, though). The U.S. government, however, decided to throw as much money into getting U.S. students to the head of the pack in the sciences.
I think it’s genius – the diabolical kind. I also think it’s some redundant mumbo-jumbo bullshit. Technology is science. According to Oxford it’s the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. Guess what? That’s another way of saying “engineering” which, according to Oxford, is the branch of science and technology concerned with the design, building, and use of engines, machines, and structures. Math is the study of numbers, shapes and patterns. Sound familiar? It should. The word math comes from the Greek "μάθημα" (máthema), meaning "science, knowledge, or learning.”
So, clever of that person or group to develop an anagram evoking Mother Nature, intended to serve as propoganda in the doubling down on the exploitation of nature and human beings. I’m sure it was intended to appeal to the part of our brains that was yearning for a return to a more organic way of life. Why else risk sounding so monotonous? STEM should really stand for Subjugation through Terrorism for the purpose of Exploitation and Manipulation. COVID-19 is hopefully teaching us that Mother Nature will only stand for so much of what STEM really means – the continued treatment of the natural world as a commodity. Perhaps we need a little less STEM and a little more ROOT, Realization Organizing Overthrow and Transformation. Regardless, could we please wake up and recognize it takes a lot more that an understanding of science to build a better society and end this ridiculous infatuation with STEM?
